Breakfast anyone?

-Cinnamon French Toast with strawberries-

Northanger Abbey

Kemaren2 baru selesai dengerin Jane Austen's "Northanger Abbey"...

Yup, "dengerin" karena gue minjem audiobooks dari library...sbnrnya audiobooks lebih buat org-org yg nggak bisa melihat/baca..jadi ada orang yg baca-in itu buku dan di-record.
Biasanya sih yg bacain aktor/aktris, karena pronounciation nya kudu jelas supaya nggak binggung yg dengerin..dan juga (yg seru menurut gue) kalo ada dialog di bukunya, si pembaca biasanya langsung masuk karakter...
Misalnya dialog antara bapak dgn anak, si pembaca bakal menyesuaikan suaranya utk mengekspresikan nada suara si bapak dan nada suara si anak....

Lumayan juga buat ngelatih pendengaran,(kalo kadang2 bos kumur2)..haha...dan juga karena bisa gue copy ke ipod gue, jadi gampang dengerin selama naek bus atau sambil masak, dll...

"Northanger Abbey" ini merupakan novel terakhir Jane Austen (1775-1817), ceritanya ttg seorg anak ceweq, Catherine Morland, yg liburan bersama tetangganya. Selama liburan ini dia ketemu 2 cowoq yg sama-sama tertarik terhadap Catherine dan pada akhirnya Catherine married dgn salah satu cowoq tsb.

Lumayan seru, tapi kalo yg nggak suka, dibacain cerita gitu, bisa bikin ..zzzzz.....

Lamb Vindaloo

Hihihihh,..namanya exotic yaa??

Ini masakan gue 2 hari yg lalu; sebenarnya udah pernah masak ini juga 2 bulan yg lalu tapi nggak di-blog (skg secara nggak mau kalah sama elsiey
Ini ngikutin resep asli dari jamie oliver
di websitenya mungkin belum tentu ada karena gue beli bukunya "The Ministry of Food"



Anyway, masakan nya ini ala india, alias curry.
Bahan:
- 2 bawang bombay, iris halus
- 4 bawang putih, iris halus
- jahe sebesar jempol dikupas & iris halus
- 2 cabe (atau seberani mungkin) iris halus
- 4 tomat (masing2 dibelah 4)
- segenggam peterseli, pisahkan daun dan batang; batang diiris halus
- 1/2 botol merk Patak's Vindaloo curry paste (ini mungkin yg agak susah nyarinya di indo; mungkin di SOGO ada)
-800gr lamb / pork / chicken (enakan bagian yg banyak lemak & urat karena bakal lama masaknya)
- 6 sdk makan Balsamic Vinegar (ini cuka ala italy)
- 400ml air
- 1 sdk makan madu
- 200 ml yoghurt
- 1 lemon

Cara:
Tumis bwg bombay+ bwg putih+ jahe+ cabe+ batang peterseli di campuran minyak+mentega (kira2 sama lah quantity nya), masukin daging, dan curry paste, balur daging sehingga tersalut penuh sama curry paste; masukan tomat, balsamic vinegar dan madu.
Tuang air sampe semua daging terendam.
Besarkan api untuk mendidihkan air, terus kecilin dan tutup panci. Masak selama 45 menit.
Jadi deh!!
Pas mau makan, peras sedikit lemon, garnish dgn daun peterseli dan sesendok yoghurt. Nyuam nyuam...

Weekend...

Kemaren sama temen2 pergi nonton "Angels and Demons" Tom Hanks. Keren juga tuch, lumayan kombinasi drama dan action nya,..balance gitu..
tapi kudu konsentrasi abis nonton nya, soalnya ngomong nya pada cepet banget, rada kumur2 plus dalam beberapa bahasa (inggris, italian, latin) dan emang ceritanya "dalem" bgt!

Ringkas ceritanya si Tom Hanks di minta tolong oleh Vatican untuk menyelidiki penculikan 4 org kardinal yg merupakan kandidat favorit untuk menggantikan Paus yg baru saja meninggal. Penculik nya meninggalkan calling card illuminati (musuhnya gereja dari jaman bahela)

Seperti film dari adaptasi novel Dan Brown sebelum nya (Da Vinci Code) yg perlu diingat waktu nonton film ini adalah kalo film ini adalah fiksi. Dasarnya mungkin ada unsur2 kebenaran tapi tetep saja hasil akhirnya bukan dokumentasi ataupun reconstruction of truth events

Sebelum pergi nonton, kita dinner dl di Din Tai Fung, -makan xiao long pao-; wadoh, ini restoran emang nggak ada matinya! di saat resto lain mungkin agak2 berkurang pengunjung dan kudu bikin promosi, resto yg satu ini hampir selalu harus ngantri 20-30 menit (tiap kali gue pergi ke situ sih ngantri)...
Biasanya gue selalu ogah kalo musti ngantri (kalo di singapore, ngantri itu -hampir selalu- menandakan tu resto enak), tapi kalo Din Tai Fung service nya super efisien, dan super cepet. Hampir bisa dijamin meja bakal siap dalam 30 menit. Makanan nya sederhana tapi enak dan tergolong "worth the dollar" dan keluar dari dapur dalam 5 menit begitu loe pesen.
Turnover meja dalam 1 malem aja bisa 3 kali, kali tuh; the big question is "Berapa profit nya sebulan ya?"
Gue rasa salah satu rahasia nya karena staff nya orang2 China; bukan nya ngejelekin, tapi yg namanya ngerantau pasti org yg kerja lebih keras dari org lokal, dan karena mereka Chinese ........ perlu gue jelaskan?

Udah kelar makan + nonton, on the way pulang ke rumah, gue dengerin Diana Krall - Quiet Nights. Wah, emang cocok bgt judulnya dgn isi CD nya...
Sambil jalan balik ke apt, tengah malem, aransemen lagu nya soothing dan calming ; favorit gue "I grow accustomed to his face" dan "I hang my tears out to dry"..
Nice..

Zap..Zap..

haaahh...2 minggu belakangan ini capek banget,..

Capek #1
Awalnya pas dapet "bulanan", biasanya dari sejak teenager, gue nggak pernah ngerasa sakit/pegel2 pas lagi dapet, tapi belakangan ini (1 tahunan) koq jadi berasa pegel2 ya? terus kemaren ini yg paling parah, sampe sakit bgt perutnya,..light headed dan pinggang pegel bukan main!! gue ampe research di internet,...soalnya biasanya kalo cuman pegel2 doank, gue tempelin botol isi air hangat di perut/pinggang udah mendingan...tapi kali ini gue ampe minum susu, makan yoghurt dan panadol (migrain juga dikit)..

Udah pengen ijin sakit and nggak masuk kerja,..tapi liat2 sikon kantor + mood bos yg lagi agak2 "berkabut", akhirnya masuk juga deh,......setelah tersiksa selama 8 jam, ini pertama kalinya dalam berbulan2 gue pulang jam 6.15!
untung "dapet"nya pas hari kamis, jadi tinggal tahan hari jumat, weekend deh...

Capek #2
Pas udah nggak sakit perut lagi, bangun kesiangan mulu, akhirnya kudu naek tangga deh ke kantor...(liat "what motivates you (2)")

Capek #3
Selama minggu2 itu, gue tetep coba ber-pilates ria soalnya menurut saran2 (di internet), selama 'dapet' pun harus tetep berolah raga, which will helps utk ngurangin pegel2..

Capek #4
Kemaren, sepupu gue bawa pulang osim u-zap (punya ceweq nya); yg bergeter2 buat ngecilin perut itu. Nah, gue cobain lah karena penasaran dan emang dulu pernah mikir2 pengen beli..
Ternyata.....
capek juga pake itu,..karena perut otot gue serasa ditarik2, didorong, ditabok2, dll...10 menit aja udah cukup buat bikin perut gue merah kayak kepiting rebus! dan rasanya abis sit-up..

After so much sweat, gue deserve a little reward doonnkk,....A slice of truffle chocolate cake yg gue beli buat ultah sepupu gue....hhhmmmm,.....nyuam nyuam...

The curse of Facebook

Minggu kemaren baru nambah bbrp temen dan sepupu di facebook.

Dengan nambah temen, more often than not, berarti nambah pula foto2 yg seringkali udah terlupakan kalo pernah diambil sama si temen itu, jadinya keluarlah foto2 yg kadang2 bikin seneng, bikin nostalgia, mengingatkan akan sesuatu atau (yg lebih sering terjadi ke gue) memalukan!
Bukan apa2 sih, foto2nya bukan tipe "tabloid hot" gitu, tapi lebih ke "ihh, jelek amat gue di foto ini" soalnya terus terang aja, gue orgnya cuek bgt, jarang pake make-up; kalo pake pun nggak kelihatan saking tipisnya, dan sering udah kehapus..sehingga...kelihatan lah semua jerawat yg selalu menghiasi muka gue...

Dilema gue mungkin nggak ada apa2 nya kali ya,..soalnya gue jg bertanya2 kalo utk org2 yg ganti pacar misalnya, tapi gerombolan temen ttp sama, pasti ada beberapa foto yg include si-ex...
mending kalo misalnya putusnya baik2 sama si ex, kalo putusnya penuh drama dan juicy gossip??? waddoohh,..bisa merusak pasaran selanjutnya....*sambil berharap2 cemas ini nggak akan terjadi ke g*...hehe...

mumbles..

hmm,..sbnrnya nggak tau mau posting apa nich,..tapi karena udah lama, hmm,..mau cerita apa ya??

Cici + Cihu dateng 2 minggu kemaren; mereka org "melarikan diri" dari rumah for a long weekend sekalian istirahat in singapore (cici lg batuk pilek)..haha..detail nya liat aja di aja yach..

Yg seru dari trip ini buat gue (selain ketemu my dear sis, off course) cihu gue beli tangan HellBoy yg gue temukan di mall sebelah kantor. Liat nich poto ku..


KEREN KHAAANNN!!!!
Ini skala 1:1 prop tangan nya HellBoy! hihihih....
Udah dibawa pulang sich ama Cihu, gue cuman numpang foto keren nya doank! hahahhaha...

Yg tadinya dateng ke singapore cuman masing2 bawa hand luggage 1, pulang nya beranak pinak, nambah kardus setinggi pinggang 2!
Dan lagi cici + cihu gue makan nya kuat bo! cici gue sih badan seukuran gue, tapi tembolok saingan tuch ama laki nya! (gue curiga tembolok loe sbnrnya bentuknya memanjang ci, dari perut sampe lutut balik lagi ke perut..hahaha..) Jadwal makan bisa 5 kali (brunch + lunch + tea time + snacks + dinner)..
kalo gue nggak berasa kenyang tanpa dessert/kue/pastries, cihu gue nggak berasa kenyang tanpa nasi+ba**....sedangkan cici gue selalu nemenin gue dan cihu gue makan...kebayang doonkk!!! *hehe..Peace ci*

Tapi asik dan seru banged...dan banyak kenang2an nya;
1. Dapat bakwa (ba** panggang ala bee cheng hiang) ketinggalan.. :)
2. Weekend berikutnya setelah cici gue udah pulang, sandal jepit gue nyerah (lem-an udah kgk kuat) saking kebanyakan jalan weekend sebelum nya..
3. gue mulai batuk :(

The Girl in the Green Scarf

Yesterday night, me and my friend went for the movie "Confessions of a shopaholic"; which I approach with caution as earlier in the day, I read the newspaper about the movie and found so many unfavourable reviews.
Most of the reviews slammed the movie as

shallow, weak and man-crazy

..you might guess that these reviewers are mostly men! Who have no understanding whatsoever of the sometimes-weak-slightly-neurotic dark side of Venus(es).

One brave men writer even wrote

have women gone nuts?

with reference to movies like Sex and the City movie

There is a joke about the Sex and the City movie that says that of the few men who watched it, half were gay and the other half were straight men who had done something really bad

(read=watching the movie is like punishment for these straight guys)
I don't disagree because Hey, that movie is celebrating women POWER (I would like to include underline, but there is none)
If you don't like it, then don't watch it,...same as I wouldn't watch 300 or saving private ryan, cause I don't fancy blood and gore with my popcorn.

so for guys who don't understand it - give it up, don't try, as we don't understand some of your guy-cry movies either.

-------------------------------spoilers ahead!!--------------------------------------

Back to the movie, a basic requirement is you will have to love shopping even a teeny tiny bit to understand the sentiment.
Secondly, you got to like a teeny tiny bit of Ally Mcbeal, as Becky (Isla Fisher) is the shopping version of Ally.

The movie is simply about addiction. In this case, addiction to shopping. As in general cases of addiction, the victim has to get "hit" at regular intervals to soothe their craving and "make the world better".

The verdict? I love it; I mean who hasn't experience trouble with money once in their life? Its the kind of movie that you rent for a girls' slumber party.
Light, refreshing and struck a chord with me in a few aspects; and as a romantic comedy, the fantasy does really hit the spots with over the top bills, SA (Shopaholic Anonymous); and the absolutely-DELICIOUS-Hugh Dancy-with British lilt *sigh* (Shallow Mode ON)
In the first scene where Hugh met Isla, I can almost literaly feel my toes (and the toes of all women in the cinema) just curl with delight!
The tousled brown hair, the pointed chin, the annoyed yet amused gaze, the expressive mouth and the accent just melt me like a warm butter on a hot toast! *sigh again*

Wake Up, Nancy!! *slap slap and tissue to wipe my drool*

Iron Man Vs Frankenstein

Hari ini di kantor LUAR BIASA sibukk...

Cerita nya berawal dari seminggu yg lalu, kita dapet invitation to tender (kantor gue konsultan arsitek)..pendek kata ada client mau bangun gedung dan minta kita untuk ngasih harga (berapa duit kalo mau design+bangun dll)

Hari ini merupakan deadline submission tender itu...dan juga hari terakhir bos gue di kantor minggu ini (besok doi mau keluar negri sampe jumat)..makanya selain deadline ini, anak2 pada ngejar bos juga buat diskusi projek..

Sebelum makan siang, si client tender nanya, "jadi nggak nich ikutan tender?" (lewat email)
Terus bos gue nanya ke gue "Itu minggu kemaren kita udah ngirim email konfirmasi kalo kita mau ikutan khan?"
"iya, bos" gue jawab "Ada nich emailnya masih I simpen"
Begitu dibales ama bos gue kalo kita masih ON utk ikut tender, si client balesin "Tapi saya baru terima konfirmasi untuk project yg satunya lagi"
DUEENNNGGG......gue kayak kena geledek! (bos gue kyk kebakaran jenggot) Matilah, pikir gue, salah gue, apa yak?
Langsung bos gue minta gue nelusurin email yg kita terima dan kita kirim...

Selama 15 menit itu gue keringat dingin, tangan ampe rasanya beku, muka gue saking stress nya kayak di-botox; karena kita (3 arsitek + gue ngerjain kontrak) udah ngerjain selama seminggu utk deadline hari ini, udah tinggal 5 jam lagi! Worst case scenario adalah kalo misalnya kita ngerjain denah project yg satu dengan deskripsi project yg lain,..seperti, maunya bikin Iron Man tapi jadinya malah Franskenstein,.....waaaa...ttiiiddaaakkkkk!!!!.......
Konsekuensi nya ya nggak dapat projek atau semua org bakal mesti ngulang kerjaan (either options gives a phantom heart attack to me)
BBRRUUKKK...*background gabrukan pintu toilet sama bos*
makin spaneng gue....Bakalan langsung dipancung di tempat nich..

Tapi ternyata liat punya liat, si bos juga nggak nyadar kalo ternyata si client ngirim 2 projek...(buktinya dia masih nanya gue, walaupun tetep nggak mengurangi pelototan mata doi ke gue)......
pas ngirim projek#1, kita udah diskusi; pas bbrp hari kemudian si client ngirim projek#2, gue ama bos mengira client ngirim projek yg sama secara resmi *abis mirip siicchh* (karena mereka minta receipt resmi)...jadilah kita ngirim receipt utk projek#2, tapi receipt projek#1 tetep aja nggak dikirim.

Akhirnya setelah klarifikasi, baru deh kita bales ke client; sorry, bla bla bla, kita tetep ikutan koq buat 2-2nya..

Fiuh! makanya gue nggak usah nonton film horror lagi,...kerja aja udah cukup buat sport-jantung.....

to the Spa..to the Spa..

Kemaren pas ke Bali itu, sempet gue mention kalo gue ke spa, khan?
Well, emang kalo gue ke Bali itu, kyknya kurang afdol kalo blm ke spa. Nah, sebelum berangkat, gue sempet browsing spas di Bali. Kalo di Jkt, favorit gue emang Four Seasons (gara2 dulu pernah kerja di four seasons, hihi), kebetulan di Bali ada 2; Four Season Jimbaran sama Four Seasons Sayan.
Akhirnya gue save no telp dua2nya, just in case.

Pas kebetulan selesai resepsi dan jalan2 di Ubud itu sore + kebetulan Four Seasons Sayan itu di Ubud + kebetulan bisa bikin appointment malam itu = jadi deh ke Four Seasons Sayan Spa!!*victory sign*

Dari Ubud, dianterin sama bus pariwisata ke entrance road nya;
dari situ gue jalan kaki masuk ke kompleks resort nya...

setelah lewat jalanan mobil, nyampe lah gue di Drop-off area. Ini baru pintu gerbang "resmi" nya si resort; biasanya di sini pengunjung nya turun trus jalan kaki masuk ke resort, sedangkan bagasi dll dibawa ke lobby oleh buggy (mobil golf itu loh).

Sampe sini, gue masih santai2 aja, cuman pikir,"oh, bagus ya,..banyak pohon, hijau2, teduh, udaranya lebih dingin (pas cuaca abis hujan)…

Di sini ada concierge nya, trus gue nanya “Mau ke Spa, lewat mana ya mas?”
Si mas nya bilang “oh, lewat jembatan ini trus turun, mba; spa nya ada di bawah restoran”
Huh? Jembatan?

Ternyata ngelewatin gate itu, ada jembatan kayu selebar 1,8m-an yg menghubungkan gate dengan lily pond yg gede banget di ujung nya…

WAH! Lutut gue sampe agak lemes gitu saking pemandangan nya keren abis!
Lily pond nya itu di-design seperti infinity pool (yg nggak ada pinggirnya, jadi air seakan2 meluap keluar) dan pemandangan sekitar nya pohon-pohon. Jadi seakan2 melayang di tengah2 jurang gitu!



Di ujung lily pond yg menghubungkan ke jembatan ada buka-an yg ternyata tangga turun ke bangunan utama resort nya. Dari sini ada tangga setengah elips di sebelah kiri yg menuju ke lobby dan open air bar. Turun lagi 1 level ke open air restaurant. Turun 1 level lagi, spa.

Gue check-in dulu ke spa, trus abis itu pengen jalan2 liat-liat kompleks nya. Pas nanya ke concierge, dibilang boleh, terus dipanggilin buggy sama 1 staff (namanya Jantik) buat nganter gue muter2 kompleks.

Dari lobby, gue dianterin ke salah satu River Side Villa.

Dari level jalanan, yg kelihatan Cuma pendopo yg dikelilingin lily pond. Ternyata jalan masuk ke villa nya turun tangga. Menurut Mas Jantik, banyak tamu yg bilang kayak masuk bunker!..haha…Buat gue yg setengah hermit, gue sih seneng2 aja.
Masuk ke villa, bangunan nya dibagi 2, outdoor dan indoor. Di outdoor, ada tempat duduk2, mini bar, patio dengan umbrella, plunge pool dan sun-deck.
Pemandangan nya bener2 keren! Karena view nya sungai Ayung yg berlawanan arus. Nggak kelihatan orang2 lain ataupun gedung hotel ataupun jalanan. Privacy abis!

Indoor, ada kamar tidur, kamar mandi dan walk-in closet. Indoor nya ber-AC.
Dari kamar tidur ada French sliding door yg terbuka ke sun-deck. Sedangkan di kamar mandi ada pintu yg menhubungkan ke outdoor shower dan ke sun-deck juga. Jadi kalo dari plunge pool, bisa langsung ke kamar mandi tanpa melewati kamar tidur.

Keluar dari villa, gue dianterin ke swimming pool yg letaknya di level paling rendah kompleks; pas sebelah-an sama sungai yg mengalir dengan seru; dgn shape yg mengikuti lekuk sungai. Sun-deck utk swimming pool juga dialokasi di pinggir sungai dengan akses batu2 kali untuk yg pengen turun ke bibir sungai.



Ngeliat ke belakang atas (dari swimming pool), kelihatan lah block hotel yg sekitar 3-4 tingkat dan seakan2 nancap di pinggir tebing.


Setelah puas muter-muter dan foto2, gue dianter balik ke lobby, dimana gue pesen sandwich di bar, (dinner dan sambil nunggu waktu buat spa).


Pas udah waktu nya spa, gue dianter lagi pake buggy ke Spa Villa.
Menurut therapist nya, spa villas utk treatment di atas 2 jam. Tapi karena lagi sepi (kyknya) dan gue tamu special (ehem ehem…) massage gue yg kurang dari 2 jam pun di kasih di spa villa.

Turun tangga dari jalan, sampe lah gue di arrival pendopo. Design Spa Villa ini merupakan cluster 3 treatment villas dan 1 Back-of-House building cum pendopo. Clusternya dibangun di atas Lily pond.


Setiap Spa Villa, bisa utk treatment 2 org bersamaan, ada bay window with seating, shower,toilet, bath tub, walk-in closet dan outdoor shower. 2 sisi bangunan merupakan folding glass door yg bisa dibuka.

Begitu gue ditinggal-in buat ganti baju, langsung gue cobain outdoor shower nya! Hihihi,…out door area nya tertutup sama tanaman2, dan karena letaknya lebih rendah dari jalanan, jadi bener2 nggak bakal kelihatan dari luar.
Fuh! Karena udah seharian (dari resepsi) pake baju pesta, langsung seger pas mandi.

Abis mandi, therapist nya dateng buat massage. Dan abis massage, gue mandi lagi (nggak mau rugi). Kali ini di shower yg ada Rain Shower nya. Dinamain rain shower karena shower head nya gede (sekitar diameter 30cm) dan dipasang di langit2 kamar mandi; jadi seakan2 mandi di guyuran hujan; tapi ada air panas tentunya…hehe….

Di Vanity table nya, hampir semua disediakan, hairdryer, sisir, kapas, cotton-buds, moisturiser, face moisturiser, talc-powder, deodorant,dll. Tinggal make-up aja nich yg kurang,.hohoho…

Abis dari villa, gue diantar buggy ke main building buat bayaran, trus gue minta dipanggilin taxi buat pulang.

Fuhhh! Sip dah!

Photos courtesy of Four Seasons Sayan; and the author would like to thank all Four Seasons Sayan staff for their wonderful hospitality which render an unforgettable experience.

suprised visit..

Weekend kemaren ini, ada undangan temen kantor yg orang Bali. Doi married sama temen sekolah yg juga anak Bali.

Sebenarnya sih nggak ada rencana mau ke Bali lagi (mahal bo! semua dihitung pake USD!) soalnya desember kemaren baru juga pulang dari bali, waktu itu beneran liburan untuk santai-santai; tapi ini pengecualian. Kali ini mikirnya pergi sekaligus sebagai representative kantor, soalnya nggak ada lagi yg pergi selain gue.

Sebelum pergi, gue nelpon paman dulu yg kebetulan tinggal di Bali, ijin mau nginep, abis tiket pesawat udah mahal, jadi udah nggak ada budget buat nginep di hotel lagi dah..:(

Nyampe di Bali jumat malem, terus besok paginya jam 7-an udah dijemput ama mobil utk naek bus ke tempat resepsi. Temen gue nyiapin bus, karena selain gue, ada lagi 15-an org temen dari pihak si ceweq yg juga terbang ke Bali utk acara ini.
Akhirnya kita sama2 jalan ke tempat resepsi jam 9-an, dan nyampe jam 11. Memang tempatnya lumayan jauh dari denpasar.
Tadinya gue pikir, resepsinya di gedung serba guna gitu, ternyata rumah keluarga si cowoq, dan karena keluarga si cowoq cukup terpandang di daerah itu, kompleks rumah nya cukup besar dan menurut temen gue ada 7 keluarga yg tinggal di satu kompleks itu.

Pas kita sampe, di ajak masuk ke courtyard yg udah dipasangi tenda putih. Wuih, untung banget ada tendanya, kalo nggak pulang2 bakal hangus, soalnya panas banget hari itu, matahari nya super terik!
Di pintu masuk courtyard ada meja tempat buku tamu dan tempayan buat amplop, terus ada buffet makanan kecil (kue2 manis) dan minuman botol manis.
Dari situ, baru deh kita salam2an sama pengantin dan keluarga nya.

Bajunya si pengantin bagus banget! dekoratif, elaborate dan detail. Kita yg pada pake baju cuman selapis langsung komentar "Wah! nggak kepanasan loe pake baju gitu?" soalnya yg cowoq pake jas lengan panjang dan sarung semata kaki + kaos kaki sedangkan si ceweq pake kebaya lengan panjang dan sarung semata kaki juga. Setelah sarung, mereka berdua masih pake kain dekoratif hitam putih. Make up lengkap dengan rambut palsu (buat si ceweq).

Setelah ngobrol2 akhirnya kita foto2 bareng pengantin nya. Abis foto2, makan siang prasmanan.

Acara hari itu memang resepsi tok, sedangkan "adat nikahnya" udah sehari sebelumnya. Memang lebih seru pas adat nikahnya (yg sama temen gue di puter di TV samping pelaminan). Seperti adat jawa atau sunda, adat nikah Bali pun penuh dgn ritual-ritual yg melambangkan bermacam2 pesan2/nasehat dari tetua, dsb. Seperti misalnya, saling suap2an nasi; pengantin pria berjalan mengelilingi courtyard dengan guci tanah liat di bahu, dll.

Sekitar jam 2, akhirnya kita pamit pulang. Bus yg tadi dateng, bakal nganter kita ke Ubud utk jalan2 bbrp jam, baru terus diantar ke tempat nginap masing2.
Karena group temen2 kerja si ceweq udah ada acara sendiri, gue bikin appointment buat spa di Four Seasons Sayan (bakal gue ceritain di blog selanjutnya), baru pulang ke rumah paman.

Besoknya, hari minggu, kita ke gereja pagi, terus pergi makan siang dan pulang deh.

Pada bilang sayang sih, ke Bali bentar banget, tapi apa boleh buat, lagi nggak niat liburan, ini pergi karena ada acara aja. (setia kawan banget ya gue....hahahaha)
abis gue pikir, kalo ini resepsi gue dan nggak ada org dari kantor yg dtg, gue bakal miserable banget dah. Acara sekali seumur hidup nich! ya nggak?..

What motivates you (2)?

Almost everyday of this week, I've been waking up early in the morning and arrive in the office a few minutes before 9am. Which is quite out of the norm as usually my schedule will follow a loose pattern of:
Monday; arrive at 8.35
Tuesday; arrive at 8:55
Wednesday; arrive at 9:02
Thursday; arrive at 9:10
Friday; arrive at 9:17
or it coulb be; arrive at after 9 for the whole week. (FYI, office hours start at 9am)

Wonder what motivates me? the answer is two-word (as Danny De Vito said in "Hercules") Mini-Bus

Well, I did mentioned in my blog previously that our office has moved to a new location right? Well, that new location is on one of the highest points in Singapore; not that much different how Mt.Everest summit is to Nepal (shrunk 208times; give and take a few hundred meters).

Ever since we moved to this office, I've been climbing a set of staircase every morning (and sometimes at lunch time) to/fro the main road. As the location is in a designated residential area, no convinience store and no cafes around. A quick trip for a stick of ice cream is out of the question. I've learned to be smart with my time, if I have to go on errands, I make sure that its around lunch time and I came back by taxi.

So you can imagine our delight when the landlord of our bulding said that a mini-bus has been provided to carry us in the morning, departing every 8:50am from the main road.
Since then, there is no turning back for me, I've been waking up with renewed spirit every morning, eager to catch the bus!

to the dentist...to the dentist

Last weekend, I finally decided to go to the dentist to have my teeth examined. Been having problems of food stuck to various spots between the teeth and also it is about time to do some scaling and polishing.

I have alwasy hated going to the dentist since one of my tooth got pulled out due to ill-placed growth, but mostly I dreaded the visit because they have nasty equipments that emits high pitched skin-crawling-nerve-wrecking sound that have to be operated inside your mouth!

However, I convinced myself that I am an adult and more mature and should be able to bear this. So, I made the necessary appointments.

On the day, I went in to the Doc's chamber with my empty stomach (since I don't intend to insult the doc with my breakfast bits) tied in 100 knots. The Doctor was Korean, very kind; almost fatherly; still in his 30s (I think).
But when he asked when was my last examination, if I floss, etc etc; I was feeling like I'm in one of those room with a two-way mirror. After that, the Doc asked me to get in the Xray room to take a pic of my teeth.
Turns out, the cause of that food stuck is because my wisdom teeth are not nicely developed. The good doc's advice is to remove all of my wisdom teeth! All! That's like 3 tooth!Dang!

I was quite shocked, to be honest! But I guess its necessary.
So,...let's see what's next...

Rainbow Connection

Isn't it amazing how one song can be sung in so many different style, across different genre and it will evoke different feelings.

I've just came across "Rainbow Connection" (Kenneth Ascher - Paul Williams) arranged by Gil Goldstein, sung by Jane Monheit, with Peter Bernstein at the guitar and Gil Goldstein playing piano and accordion.

It was mellow, fluid, romantic, with the accordion lent Parisian air of the city of lovers. The song easily suggests me the image of couples waltzing under the moonlight (which wouldn't supprise me if the song features as a movie soundtrack someday).

If I didn't search youtube for the music video of that song, I wouldn't know that it was originally sung by Kermit the Frog. And I also found different variations of the song by Jason Mraz, Sarah MacLahlan,etc.

But, I really do prefer Jane/Gil's arrangement. Check it out..

"Behind every story is a great Journey"

It was 13.15 in the afternoon, the sky was a big blue bowl, the sun was shining bright enough for me to wish I've had my hat, the air pleasantly warm and dry and stirred into comforting breeze. As I nibbled on parma ham,mozzarela and fresh tomatoes foccacia sandwich (with a side salad and just fried potato chips) I could see as far as the sky meets the sea. The sea which calm, sparkling blue and totally unmarred by ships/sail boats or people doing water sports.

That was not my imagination by the way, that was how it was as I lunched at the Bulgari Hotels and Resorts Bali. It was part of my holiday trip, but the experience deserved its own column.

The resort was perfect for tourist looking for a bit of peace and quiet, away from hot spots such as Kuta, Legian or other destinations.
Bali is dotted with such development, with big brand names catering to the wealthy and privileged. But what separates them are the level of services provided; which also reflected in their villas rate.

When I arrived at the drop off, I was immediately welcomed with a smile and the assurance that the buggy will arrive in a few minutes to take me to the Bar.
The drop off was a huge traditional Bali Pavillion influenced with a contemporary Italian style. The drop off pavillion was cleverly designed to reveal the view with a flourish!

After a 5 minutes ride circling the compound, I was dropped off at the Bar area to enjoy the view and nicely prepared lunch. Over to the right is the infinity pool with a few covered cabanas of weave rattan and cotton scattered by the pool. To my left are the restaurants. The Bar itself is a big open-air pavillion perched right at the edge of the cliff.

The villas are spread out over the compound in a terraced manner to give maximum view of the Indian Ocean for each villa.
Although I didn't have the chance to tour the whole place or any of the villas, I am quite impressed with what I've seen.

As the buggy drive me back to the drop off, the driver alerted the drop off attendant to summon my ride. I really need not to request it. They anticipated your needs and most of the times provide it before you ask!

Next trip, I am going to try the spa.

flying fox and babysitting

As mentioned before, I really wanted to get away for sometime now and last weekend I was flying off to Bali to spend 3 days there. It was quite an improptu thing, since a friend of mine will be there for the weekend as well on a business trip.

The first 2 days, I spent with my uncle's family (they reside there) and my sister (she works there), we went for local delicacies, day trips (flying fox), spa and dinners together.

And then the last night I went to stay at a hotel (selfishly I wanted some time alone to regroup and enjoy lazy days). It proved to be quite a good decision, as I managed to catch that magnificent sunset at Kuta Beach with Fency, do some sightseeing and shopping at Legian (found the cutest bathing suit! exactly what I had in mind)
I was regreting (a bit) of not staying in the hotel earlier, as I met this guy who is the hotel's photographer. I think he was quite cute (can't see clearly without my glasses as I was swimming). Wonder what might ensue from that meeting if I were not due for check out in 2 hours....

From Bali, I fly back home and stayed at my sis' place for the rest of my holidays, babysitting.
She recently moved from the centre of town to the suburbs (way WAY out in the suburbs), where a decent mall is 30 minutes away. Whereas my parent's house is 10 minutes away from one of the poshest malls in town.

Knowing I'll be at my sis, I brought my little munchkins some snacks and chocolate bites. Imagine my horror when my sis said that they are ALERGIC TO CHOCOLATES!!! OH NO! my poor bambini...I hope they outgrow it though..
So for 5 days, I coddled them, soothe them, break their fights, change their wet pants,etc etc..But I have to say when the rewards are big hugs, toothy grins, and sloppy kisses, its well worth it.
They are in their first week of school and I just got this cutest picture of them in their uniforms.
Luna and Jovann remember me still as I was there during their early days (from birth to 1-ish), but little sebastian still wary of me up to the day I left. He is one tough nut to crack.

Anyhow, it was one of the nicest holiday I've had in long time.....with nothing to do but what I want to...Isn't that what great holidays are?

Z4

You know, relative is a funny thing,...you never saw someone in your life, but blood are thicker than water.

My aunt's (from my mother's side) brother-in-law's great uncle just left me his BMW Z4, along with a trust fund for the upkeep of the car. Petrol, maintenance, taxes, insurance, I just have to present the receipts to the trustee and all will be taken care of. Nice eh...

Unfortunately off course, it was all just in my head......(sigh)


PS: I don't have an aunt from my mother's side..:P

Finally...(part 1)

These last few weeks have been really hectic. Our office move to a new location and that requires almost all my energy and concentration. I honestly think that I didn't do much else except taking care of all that's related to the moving process.

I really do not wish to repeat the process anytime soon, say another 10 years. Not that I will stay in this particular office that long. But twice in the span of 3 years is enough! three times, if we extend the period to cover the last 5 years!

This is only part 1 of the process, because although we have occupied the new premises, not all the furniture are installed yet.

Gonna need a loooonngg holiday once the dust settles.....

PS:..coincidentally, my sis is also moving house this month..

My first F1

hohohohoho,......

Last saturday, me,Mal,Rudy and Tong went to see the Singapore F1 GP, from the sidelines. I confess I was taking too long to think whether I should buy the ticket to the GP or not, as not many of my friends going. Anyhow, couldn't get the ticket as they are sold out.

So, we were walking around Suntec City to see if we can catch a glimpse of the track from somewhere around there. As I mentioned in my previous post, the noise that the cars made, while we were in Diana Krall's concert is really got me curious and excited to see what it's all about.
So on that qualifying night, we walk around the track to see if there are some free-view spot.

We ended up on top of a multilevel carpark, a block from Suntec, and can see 2 corners; the turn in front of the meritus mandarin and the turn to the supreme court. And it was just AWESOME!!!
Altough we can only see about 1/20th of the original car size, even from that distance you can feel the adrenalin, the heat and hear the roar of those powerful engines.
We were not the only ones on top of that car park. Even people who has tickets to the race would like to get a better (bigger) view of the street track.

Finally, just a few minutes before 10pm (the qualifying race) we moved and managed to get a spot on one of the external staircases of Marina Square that faces the coming cars from raffles boulevard.
I think one of the advantages of not having a ticket is you can pretty much walk around the circuit to see from different point of view rather than rooted to your assigned seat.Off course you'd have to search and climb to the surrounding buildings to see the track, but it was worth it.

Wanting to see from the different point of view (and also to see the parked Pagani Zonda in front of the Meritus Mandarin) we went down to the lobby of Meritus, where a lot of people also gathered to see right from the edge of the track! and it was faboulous! Up close, you can smell the rubber burning and the noise was even more deafening! and like nothing I've heard before! Luckily I already equipped myself with ear plugs.

The tricky thing after the race is getting out of the track area. With more than 50,000 people, walking is reduced to crawling at the speed of a snail. Once we reach the streets, we walk to reach mrt or bus and I ended up walking the distance from Suntec city to Sommerset MRT! If it wasn't adrenaline, I wouldn't last that far!

Still, I think we are going to get the tickets for next year F1!!

Wohoo!!

PS: I gotta say that I am impressed with the staff at Meritus Mandarin; as a lot of people whom are not guests at the hotel, passers-by like us who wanted to see the track, were walking in and out of the hotel, trampling the grass, taking pictures, use the hotel as the access between the track and the Marina Square; and the staff of the hotel are pretty much leave us be. No body harrassed us or anything. It might be because we are pretty well mannered around the hotel or maybe the hotel are just so full of people that they don't have the resources to manage the mob.

Diana Krall

Last weekend me and nadia went to see Diana Krall concert in Fort Canning Park.

There are a few unfortunate elements in play over this concert;
1. The concert was held in the same night as the F1 practice session and in open air where the demonic roar (not that I hate it) of the cars can still be heard.
If the concert was to be held in its original venue at keppel bay, the noise might not travel that far.
2. The concert started late as I think the organisers (or indeed Diana herself) wanted to maximize the break period of F1 practice session. Even so, the first 2 songs and the last 2 songs were still competing with the exhaust noise from the cars and the whup whup of the circling helicopter.
3. Diana was having a flu and the event was peppered with her cough.
4. My backside was flatten a bit due to sitting at the hard brick steps of Fort Canning Centre.
But, other than a few complaints above, I have to say that the experience was not all bad. In spite of having cold, listening to Diana's voice live was an extraordinary experience. Her voice is so smooth! my favourite combination is her voice and the piano. Amazing!

PS: my list above is shorter than somebody else's whom got published in the monday paper. However, I do feel that his feelings are justified as the complaints that he put forward are genuinely unacceptable for a world class concert.
Sorry i can't remember all of the list's items but it involves muddy track of the venue; refreshment booth that are unsatisfactory and untrained ushers on top of the things I've mentioned.

Engaged!

hmm,..kali ini postnya pake indo aja deh,..

weekend kemaren, sepupu gue tunangan ama pacarnya. Mereka udah jalan selama kira2 5 tahun-an, dan kemaren itu keluarga si cowoq dateng ke singapore untuk lamaran. Pergi makan lah kita ke No Sign Board seafood di Esplanade.

Dari pihak keluarga cowoq, yg dateng bokap nyokap nya, ie-ie ama ie-chong, cici ama ci-chong + beberapa temen si Bram. Dari pihak ceweq, yg dateng, bokap nyokap novi, kuku ku-chong (bokap nyokap gue), suk-suk (adek bokap novi), gue, adek gue, kokonya novi + pacarnya, Catherine (anak suk-suk) dan anak suk-suk A-Yung, Felix.
Kebetulan emang ini malam terakhir bokap nyokap dan suk suk gue di singapore.

Sebelum makan ada acara kalung dulu, istilahnya "diiket" nopi-nya..(hehe). kebayang nggak sih di tengah2 resto rame (full house) gitu, kita pada berdiri 2 meja, maminya Bram ngalungin kalung ke novi, cipika-cipiki, terus pada foto2 keluarga. haha..rada diliatin orang2 meja sebelah sih, mana pada bule2 gitu pula.

Makanan yg dipesen bener2 banyak banget! 12 macem. Emang si bokap nya Bram doyan makan enak.
Menu: Hisit (sirip ikan hiu); chilli crab; crispy cereal crayfish, garlic steamed bamboo clam; hokkien style steamed fish; black pepper deer meat; abalone with asparagus; saute bull frog with dried chilli; garlic fried vegetable; Deep fried baby squid; steamed japanese beancurd with dice seafood and deep fried seasonal fish.
Dessert buah potong.

waalah,..begitu udah keluar 10 macem aja, gue udah kenyang,.padahal nggak makan pake nasi. Terus akhirnya yg pada nggak abis dibungkus, bawa pulang.

abis udah pada selesai makan, pada mulai ngomong2 mau lanjut kemana lagi nih. Akhirnya yg muda2 pada mau lanjut ke St.James Powerstation, sementara yg senior2 pada pulang.
Akhirnya head count yg pada ikutan ke St.James cuman dari keluarga ceweq doank, alias gue and sepupu2 gue. Dan ternyata dari 7 yg pergi (gue, novi, adi,felix, catherine,khai ling dan Imelda) cuman gue, adi sama khai ling yg pernah clubbing,sisanya novice semua! wah! ahahaha...
Memang gue, adi sama khai ling seumur, sedangkan novi,felix,catherine dan imelda lebih kecil.
Haha,...akhirnya kita joget joget bakar lemak, dan pulang jam 3.

Seru loh, soalnya pas yg ikutan pada asik2 semua..hmm,..kita ngomong2 mesti ngadain lagi nih yg kyk gini buat "Hen night" nya nopi tahun depan....hihihi...

the guy in black latex and a cape...

Not that it doesn't look good on him,..au contraire..Mr.Bale looks ravishing in the costume coupled with the smoker's rasp...
True, you can't see much most of the time; the shy guy keeps to the shadows; but he compensated with his muscle cars, very big motorcycle, cool gadgets and his lamborghini! (I think my heart squeeze a little when the bull smashed in a car crash)

Fashion aside, I think the movie really packs a hellofapunch..the story line is very neat, the action is not overwhelming, and it has more "moral of the story" than a simple good against evil..

And if the Joker is any indication of Heath's acting abilities, we sure have lost a great actor and I can certainly understand why they are considering awarding an Oscar post-humously. He was terrifyingly believable as the Joker.

This is one of the must watch movie of the year and a classic in the making...

Penelope

well,its been a while since I last posted my ramblings, here's about another movie I recently watched with some friends.

Penelope is a young lady of 25 years old, graceful, speaks french fluently, comes from a prominent blue blood family, an only child and....has a pig snout for a nose.
It all happens because Penelope's great great great grandfather impregnate a young maid in his employ but will not stand up to marry her. The maid ended up over a cliff and the maid's mother cast a spell onto the family that the first daughter of the family will be different until "her own kind" will accept her as "one of them".
So, penelope was born with piggish features (snout, ear and tail).

Her mother keep Penelope a secret at home (never allowed anyone who is not a family to see her, or let her out of the house either) and concentrated her efforts to groom Penelope to become the perfect bride and wife to marry another blue blooded in order to lift the curse.

Christina Ricci played Penelope brilliantly and James MacAvoy was just (..let me sigh for a moment here..) to die for. James played Max Campion a.k.a Johnny, a chronic gambler, whom being paid by a reporter and one of Penelope's ex suitor, to take a picture of Penelope.

The movie skips the "where" part; it didn't says a place and also skips "when"; didn't mention the year/century/millenium it happens. Its keeping the fairy tale charm firmly in place with a mixture of reality and fantasy.
And it works. Fairy tales doesn't need to be a cartoon, or men in tights (though it certainly can't hurt, haha, just kidding...)

An Affair to Remember...

"Winter must be cold for those with no warm memories,...we've already missed the spring"

Ever since Meg Ryan and Rosie O'Donnell repeat those lines in the movie "Sleepless in Seattle", I've been curious about it. But not until lately, when I found the video of Josh Groban singing the theme song of the movie at Youtube and I caught myself humming a few bars when I thought of a certain someone,I got hooked.

It was really a good movie, funny, with amazing on-screen chemistry between Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr. I like the wittiness of Deborah Kerr and the way their conversation has an almost Shakespear-an quality in the subtle meaning and undercurrents.

Anybody who likes "Sleepless in Seattle" (like you, sis) should watch this Affair to Remember...Classic..

SATC....what else?

Well, the shoes are out of the box! these past 2 weeks movie fans are abuzz with releases after releases; Indiana Jones, Narnia - Prince Caspian, and off course the long awaited Sex and The City movie!

Ever since I heard the news that they are filming the silver screen version, I was keeping an ear to the ground for the release date; and finally yesterday I went with my girlfriends to the cinema.

To keep long story (almost 3 hrs) short, lets just say, the movie captured all about women and their relationship. Probably because it revolves around 4 characters, each with their own set of challenges, it manages to "colour a captivating image using nearly every crayon in the box" (find out about this in the movie!)

Love, hate, betrayal, fidelity, motherhood, marriage, friendship, career, fame, sex and fashion.

What I also like about the movie, is the pace. It doesn't feel hurried (compressing about one and a half year's worth of the characters' life), neither did it feel dragged on (145 minutes). I felt I just watched a whole seasons' episodes.
At the end of the movie, there is a sense of closing, but also continuity, with the girls keep on with their dinner and drinks celebrating samantha's birthday.

I think this movie will become one of a classic must watch movie......speaking of which,..please see my next blog..

you are what you eat....

If we go by that sage saying, I would be one hot and saucy chick, because I eat those 'extra crispy with secret recipe'.
Or sweet and berrylicious last week from my 7-layer pancake,nature goer from my sashimi and Threesome lover of BLT sandwich..

How about you?

My world gourmet summit

Last weekend was one of the laziest and most fullfilling (in terms of stomach content) I've had so far..

Lets start with Friday night (weekend almost always start with friday night);
well,..due to a hard day on friday (foul ups at work, etc) we decided we need alcohol, so we planned to head to Harry's (at boat quay) for some nourishing food and drinks.
unfortunately, when we arrived there, its the peak of Happy hour at Harry's and not a single chair or table or a ledge-big-enough-to-hold-a-beer-bottle is available. So with a heavy heart, we decided to go on down the river to Iguana.

In Iguana, as usual, the crowd is loud, music is in the background and not fighting with conversation, the food is good and the margarita is cold!

So, there we were, 2 girls, with a jug of raspberry margarita, fajitas and buritos. Not a half hour later, mal, novi and jovin joined us. Another round of margarita and food being served. We went home full and relaxed.

the next day, we went to watch "Definitely, maybe", the lighter-than-air romantic comedy, so light I can't even remember what's the story about...
Its like sniffing glue; cheap (the ticket price), momentarily captivating, and easily forgotten.

After the movie, me and mal went to try this new 'food bazaar' with a Japanese theme.
Basically, you went in the restaurant, and they gave you a card to record your purchases and a round 'reserved' wood disk to be placed on your table, so you can roam the restaurant freely without losing your table to other hungry birds. The resturant itself has islands and designed to immitate market stalls, so you can hop from one stall to the next and see what they are cooking.
Since i didn't have my lunch, I went a bit mad with all that food on display. They have cold selections; seasoned jelly fish, vinegared baby octopus, salads, sashimi, etc.
They also have assorted tempura, deep fried food and donburi (rice with deep fried meat in omellete);rotabayaki (grill food on stick); Omu rice (tomato ketchup fried rice topped with omelette with a side fried meat),Japanese hot pot; cold soba ;assorted ramen & udon; Japanese style spaghetti & pizza; bamboo rice;Japanese omellette; japanese dessert of red bean with mochi (I am starting to drool just by listing all these food...)
To make long story short, I ordered all my favourite food (and believe me, there are a lot), and go home as stuffed as a thanksgiving turkey.

On sunday, dawn clear and hot, I went for my massage appointment and spent 60 minutes pummeled by a minute Chinese girl no bigger than me with hot rocks. Limber and loose, I then went downstairs to their cafe, where I enjoyed 7 layer (yes, that's right; SEVEN) pancake.
The fluffy and sweet tower is slathered with honey and maple syrup, with a scattered of juicy berries (strawberries, blueberries,raspberries) and nuts (macadamia,almonds,and some I don't recognize). In between them, nutela and dried cherries (I think they were) add some volume and height.

Hungry yet?

Got some pictures, but I just can't get them uploaded just yet....in the meantime use your imagination! haha

a babe in a ranch? a gold fish in the sea?

Last weekend, I went to a colleague's place for his birthday BBQ and arrived there with birthday present in hand.

For background information, this colleague of mine is a Brit, married with 2 kids and celebrating his 45th.
So, when I arrived there, the crowd consist of really mature grown ups and really young (and tiny) people..

Not to be discourage, I decided this is a good opportunity to brush up my social skills..and to eat, off course,..
Food are good and aplenty,..seafood, roast lamb,fried rice,cheese platter with assorted fruits, potato salad, green salad etc,...
Drinks covers all the bases, from bottled water, fizzy drinks, wine, and beer.
and later I discovered, 2 sheets of brownies baking in the oven. yum..
Kids running around in their bathing suits ;or soaked shirt if the parents aren't fast enough; to/fro the pool

As the day progressed, more and more guests arrive and suddenly I realized that I was the only one who is an asian; single with no partner/children/dogs; over 21 and didn't drink alcohol (at that time).
And on top of that, I only knew the host, since no other people from the office came.

I did chat to a few of the guests, but looks like my social skills need more than brushing; I was not exactly lost, but neither was I found.

But, it was fun and I managed to make friend with Shakey; my host's labrador.

.......in Death

Brilliant...brilliant....brilliant!

That's three cheers for Nora Roberts for the latest books that she published.
The ones that I read are "Blood Brothers" book 1; "Creation in Death" and "Strangers in Death".

On the "In Death" series (which Nora wrote under the pseudonym J.D.Robb), I was hooked ever since I read the first of the series "Naked in Death". There, she introduced us to Eve Dallas, a cop with no-nonsense-ass-kicking attitude as the tough lieutenant of the NYPSD in the year 2058.
Ever since, I've been reading the next and the next on the book list, and all I can tell you that like wine, its getting better and better.

In "Creation in Death", I experienced something new. As the story approaching climax, I had a moment where I stopped reading and simply couldn't bring my self to read the next page (for almost like 15 minutes) because I was too scared to find out what will happen to Eve!!.
You see, Eve had just encountered the psycho-lunatic-all-around-mad bad guy and she is unaware that her back up team somewhat hampered and delayed. Meanwhile, Nora had no mercy in twisting our guts with the continues stream of play-by-play.

In "Stangers in Death" that I've just finished, it once again struck me on how creatively the twist and turns of the story completely spellbind you and make you sit up and pay attention to what's next.

I have to mentioned another title which completely floored me is "Innocent in Death" and "Origin in Death". They have so much detail in them and makes the story more than just a story. To sum it, Nora always manages to suprised her reader, shock them, tickle them, make them weep, scared them good, make them laugh, give them something to think about and at the same time, teaches them values in a darn good story.

Go read it, start from the first of the series, and work your way, as the characters developed, you would enjoy your reading more if you understand the nuances and undercurrents of the story.

(Probably)Not everyone will like Nora Roberts, but that person sure isn't me!

Hotel hopping...

I've just discovered a new ambition; Hotel Hopping.

Reading the book about Asian Style Hotels really gets your itchy feet itchy; and I've only got to the Indonesia part.

The thing about the hotels, they are beautifully designed, decorated, offers head-to-toe-body-and-soul-personalized-butler service. And they are expensive (offcourse).

But somehow, I can't imagine taking my parents to one of these hotels, as they are targetted to foreigners. I can just imagined the comment that will spring forth; "Its so expensive" "Its so dusun (old/backwater)" "there is nothing in here" (because most of the hotel's main commodities is privacy and tranquility)
haha...Not to say that they are not appreciative to the finer things in life, but they just have a different concept to it.

Nevertheless, I'd like to at least try each of the hotel once.....ooommmm.....

What a weekend....

Last weekend, we (me and the girls) had the most fun weekend...
We started off on friday night, with dinner at Vivo city, the four of us all dressed up and dolled up (I wore my new dress!); not so much for sel and me though. Sel because she doesn't do make up and me because I was in a hurry. I was late getting back from the office and in making up time, I didn't spend so much time in front of the mirror.

After dinner, we cross the road to St.James Power Station, where we fumble around a bit deciding which entrance to go to (since none of us ever been there)
We decided to go to "Broiler Room" and asked around. Apparently for $15, you gain free access to all of the clubs in the compound, but where you buy your ticket, that's where you can exhange it for the drink. Off course you can buy another drink in the other rooms should you wish to.
So, there we were, entrance fee at the Broiler Room, after we see the interior and get a feel for the songs played there, we moved to "Bellini" and then to "Movida" and on to "Power House". We avoided "Dragonfly" because all of us knew that that particular room is playing chinese songs and crowded with teenagers.

All the rooms are having live performance, with a slight difference in songs; "broiler room" is for pop songs; "Bellini" is more on the jazzy side; "Movida" is for world music (latin, samba,etc) and "Power House" is house music.
All in all, we decided "Movida" is more to our taste, and the crowd is the best of the lot, but as our drink stamp is from the "Broiler Room", we trotted back to the first club we enter to get our drinks. As we enjoyed the live performance and our drinks (its a really ticklish one, with a gay-blond-afro-haired performer on stage), we decided to move to "Movida" to check it out.
The live performance is going full swing and we quickly jumped to join the crowd on the over-packed dance floor to boogie-away.
Me and Sel were burning away our fat, with Astrid and Mery followed in a more sedate pace. We were having one h*** of a good time.

Feeling a bit parched, we moved to "Bellini" to search for some seats to rest our feet and get some drinks.

After the 15 mins break, we slipped back to "Movida", however we didn't stay long this time, coz Astrid, Mery and Sel had to go to the office on Saturday morning for some extra working time. Me? I slept till noon.

On Saturday noon, I was awaken by wake up call from Astrid. We decided to get a late light lunch, followed by dinner at Tony Roma's (got a discount voucher).
So, after shower etc, I met her and Sel at the library (I was picking up reserved book), off we go to Dempsey Hill . I suggested it, because it was such a nice day to be outside, and I was kinda tired of shopping malls.

When we arrive there, it was so good to be away from the hustle and bustle of Orchard Road ; although it only 10 mins taxi ride from Orchard. With lots of greenery and breeze, it doesn;t feel as though you are in Singapore. We agreed that it looks like Kemang area in Jakarta. Lots of expats and antique furniture shops, but also scattered here and there, cafes and wine bars.
The main thoroughfare (if you can call it that) is lined on both sides with cafes, grocery shop (definitely gonna be my favourite shop as they stocked almost all of my favourite food-stuff, they even have an air-conditioned-cheese-room with the most amazing variety of cheeses and wagyu beef on the meat section!), pubs, restaurants and activity centres for kids.
We chose to eat in one of the small cafes which serves sandwiches and next to Ben&Jerry's.
After that, we walked around the compound and found House the spa cum cafe cum yoga place. I wanted to find out about it, as I've received lots of funky and fun newsletter from the organizer. It was gonna be another one of my favourite spot, as the cafe and the spa sits at the edge of the cliff, and as far as you can see, its trees and peace and quiet.
We sit there a while to enjoy a cheese plater, some wine and juice and the view off course.

Around dinner time, we trudge back to this Korean restaurant that we've ear marked for dinner as Sel and Astrid had a craving for Korean. The three of us enjoyed a dinner of Korean bbq in an authentic setting of Korean restaurant. I have to say, the food is not as good as what I had in Jakarta, but all in all, it was allright.

With full belly, we decided to head back home. I suggested to continue on to "Hacienda", a watering hole that only open at night, to get some night cap, but Sel and Astrid had had enough.

Hhh,....what a weekend...

Year of the Rat

To all who celebrate it; Wishing you a happy and prosperous Lunar New Year; hope it will bring you good luck, good fortune and love.

being environment concious is hard on the image..

As I was sorting through the used paper in the paper bin to reuse, suddenly an image flashed in my mind of the bag lady that yesterday morning I saw in front of my office entrance, sorting through the office waste bin for recyclables.

At another time, I was cutting used A3 papers (the ones with clean sheet on the other side) to be reused as A4 printing paper for my printer, and my colleague remarked that, when he worked in India, there will be a person with a task specifically to rub off the pencil marks on tracing papers, for the papers to be reused!

Oh dear!....

Where's my coffee prince....

I just finished watching the Korean drama miniseries, titled "Coffee Prince"; it tells the story of a girl, desperate for work, disguise herself as a boy. Along the way, she falls for her boss, and let it be known that she likes him. But off course, the boss is straight and while he might be amused (and slightly wary) at first to be the object of affection of his staff, in the end, he too feels the same way (even not yet understood that actually he is a she).

Well, as it is a sort of "chick flick", in the end, they live happily ever after. But along the way, its a funny production, full of laughter, innocence and some heart wrenching moments. They didn't exactly paint a rosy glow to the whole movie, but it definitely written by someone with a fuschia tinted glasses.
I am sure 95% of the girls after watching this series will emit a sigh followed with a question "wouldn't it be nice to be able to love and be loved like that?" hhmm....

But after a while, we will put that question on the shelve and get back to dealing with the males of our reality life. As my sister by marriage (and my numerous friend, families, aunties,uncles) once put it "the prefect man that you wish for doesn't exist" or a variation of those sentence. (I am pretty sure if you are an asian girl, born and bred in the asian country, over the age of 23 with no steady boyfriend at your side, you'll have heard this from your relatives at least once every year).
Which I will counter by saying "he doesn't have to be perfect for everyone, just me" but the answer to that statement remains the same. "He doesn't exist".

Oh well...back to my beloved chick flick then...

And on to,.....what will I be doing this valentine's day?...hmm...

"Hell Hath No Fury Like a Woman Scorned"

The complete Quote from Congreve "Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned/ Nor hell a fury like a woman scorned" seemed apt for the current condition afflicted my colleague.

He is in the middle of a tiger and mouse chase with a woman whom I assumed his very girlfriend.

Now for the sake of clarification, I have to mentioned firstly that I have not the faintest idea of what is the root of the problem which causes this girl to develop such a case of twisted knickers.
But, I do know that she has left a half dozen slanderous messages, in our office answering machine no less, where the contents are not suitable for this blog!

This is the first time I encountered such an occasion and truth be told, I am stupendous that my colleague and this girl behaving in such a way.

Later in the day after the voicemail incident, the girl kept on calling to the office and I lied. Yes, my colleague has asked me to lie of his whereabouts to this girl. I have no compunction whatsoever to carry out the favor as by that time, I had no respect for someone who has no manners, personal and professionally, to leave such messages in my office voicemail.

She apparently soldier on, by arriving at our office doorstep and requested to use the office phone to call my colleague. I was dumbfounded, that she is desperate enough (and creative enough) to ask. My colleague couldn't take it anymore, and he requested police assistance to our office. The arrival of the officers drove her away, but phone calls kept pouring in. My colleague dared not answer the phone, and after lunch he went on to the Court to file a restraining order against her. Unfortunately, there are no law against stalker as yet and there is nothing the law enforcement can do.

In the end, my colleague had to stay at his relative's house and dared not return to his parents' because she was there too after office hours.

Today is the 2nd day of the saga, and again I lied to her. I do not regret it at all, because if I had said that my colleague is in the office, she would come in with both guns drawn heedless of the audience and the sanctity of our office hours. I have an obligation to keep my office running smoothly, so I feel no guilt whatsoever to this unknown seed of troublemaker.

However, if in the end, the truth is out of the problem and my colleague is the troublemaker, I will skewer him alive myself and have him roasted over slow fire!

what motivates you?

I have to say, there is nothing like a gorgeous dress to motivate a girl to re-start the rigorous tummy-flattening-ass-tightening exercises.
You just have to buy a new dress every month or week in the same size (or smaller) to make sure that your body does not hiding extra chips or cream cheese near the region of your backside.

Just like last week; I was walking around the mall waiting for my friend to arrive to have dinner together and just happened to browse this shop. I wasn't intending to buy anything (no wedding invitation or party in plan) but, this dress just caught my eyes and next thing I know, I was queueing for the fitting room.

I am not going to describe much abt the dress as the whole impact is good only if I'm in it; suffice to say that it's a body-hugging-skin-exposing kinda dress....hehhehehe

It took another 2 trips to the shop; once with my girlfriends to cast our vote and 2nd after 2hrs 'thinking time' over dinner and deliberate with the ladies.

Regret to say I did bought that dress against a rather pasionate objection from my dear sis; sorry sis, if you see the dress, you'll understand why I was compelled to buy it....heheheh

Baby S

Ladies and Gentleman, I am proud to welcome Baby S; my second nephew; born at Bunda Hospital with ten fingers and ten toes (and everything in between). Baby S also being welcome by both sets grandpa and grandma, parents, older sis and bro, uncles, aunties and cousins.

The Magic Flute

Last week, me and Sel went to the cinema to catch "The Magic Flute" a production of the Met Opera.

This was a recorded session of one of the live performance in the opera house and being distributed in movie format, which is a brilliant idea. It brings opera to the masses.

The Magic Flute tells the story of the fight between day and night, good and evil, and love triumph.

We really enjoyed it so much; the stage set was amazing, the costume designs fit for the tales, and what really knock our socks off were the voices of the casts!! They are just brilliant!!

Clarkson's book

Do you remember in previous blog, I mentioned that Marcus got a book of Jeremy Clarkson? He managed to read a quarter of the book, before he pass it to me and said " I feel my IQ is decreasing after reading that book".

Which is probably true...

Anyway, after reading halfway, I realize it is like that strip collection of Garfield; sarcastic, amusing,exasperating at times, and should be taken in small doses. Too much of that orangey fat cat in 1 sitting and I will fall asleep...
Not that the articles are not good, they are Clarkson through and through, but the tone of the articles are generally complaints, so after 15 of them, you start to feel your eye lashes weigh a ton each!.....

But, all in all, I think I will get a tome in supply, for my "fat cat" fix.....

PS: I wonder what Clarkson would write about Singapore if he happens to live in the country........(hm,mindboggling indeed)......

cars, cars and cars..

Marcus, my colleague, introduce me to Top Gear, through Youtube, and I am hooked ever since. Who could have guessed that I like fast moving cars! never own either a fast or a slow one myself; and now I am watching episode after episode of Bugatti Veyron (sigh), Ferrari Enzo, Mercedes SLR McLarren, BMW Z4 (my dream car still), Aston Martin DB9, Ferrari 430, the Atom, and dozens of other cars that make me absolutely drool....

The wonderful thing about the show is instead of hosted by a bulky hunk or a slick sales-man type guy, its hosted by 2 grumpy old man and their "grandson". I am off course refering to Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond, the trio that keeps bantering and bickering among themselves and providing us with such entertainment.
Not everyone might agree to Jeremy's "insults" of the americans, the Malaysia's perodua Kelisa, or any other cars that he destroys, but we had a good laugh over his antics.

The other hilarious thing that made me glued to my computer screen is their "mucking about" activities, such as assembling a home made human carrier convertible, modificating an amphibious vehichle, stretch limos (I still can't believe James made that 2 headed limo) and other challenges such as the tractor race (which one is the slowest!), cheap van competition, Jeremy racing around nurburgring, etc.
(As I am writing this, all of the challenges are posted in Youtube)

Marcus is reading up a book "the world according to Clarkson" and I think I am going to borrow for a peek after he is done, must be full of Clarkson's complaints as usual....hahahhaa.....

Rat-a-too-ee

Last week, I went with Mery to the cinema, to watch the Disney-Pixar new animation movie about a rat who can cook michelin star food.

But before I continue with my story, let me first apoligize to the guy sitting at D17 (The Cathay, 30th August, 7pm show), I don't know who you are, but I am sorry to have stepped on your feet (both of them) on the way to my seat. It was dark,...and he was a bit "loungy".....but still......my sincerest apology.

Right then,...Rattatouile is telling the story of Remy, a suburb rat, arriving in beautiful Paris alone, since he was separated with his family and friends. Remy has a highly developed sense of smell, taste and a bit snob (well, what do you expect, he is french) about food. Unlike other rats, he does not jump into the pile of rubbish eating everything that he can chew.

After a disaster where they have to leave their home, Remy got separated and arrive in Paris alone and in Chef Gusteau's restaurant, Remy's idol chef.
By accident, Remy met Linguini ;all-thumbs-two-left-legs kitchen boy; and safe him (how? you'll have to watch the movie). They became partners in cooking, with Remy pulling linguini's hair like a marionette.
The restaurant once again rose to fame, with Remy cooking up new recipes.

And, what is a movie without the bad guys? Chef Skinner is making money by using the Gusteau's name for a line of frozen food, but when he found out that Linguini is actually Gusteau's biological child, he panicked cause it means that he will lose the restaurant to Linguini.

After Linguini admitted to his kitchen team that it was Remy whose been cooking all those food, they left him alone with a dining room full of patrons. But with Remy, his rat friends and Collette come to the rescue, they manage to feed everyone and satisfied Ego, the food critic.

There are a lot of hilarious scenes during this movie, and its quite refreshing comedy...the girl sitting 2 seats away really got excited when Skinner chased Remy.....she squealed so loud by herself!

We really enjoyed it !!

Back to school Armor

If you turn to page 9 in copy of TIME magazine of August 27,2007; you'll find a smallish article titled "Back to School Armor". For the benefit of those who do not have a copy handy, let me quote as below:


Back-to-School Armor
BACKPACK BULWARK A Knapsack lined with a lightweight, bulletproof plate that students can use as a shield to protect against gunfire or knife blades.

SAFETY FIRST Two Boston fathers were motivated by the shootings at Columbine High School to create the $175 knapsack, called My Child's Pack, which went on sale Aug.8 online and at local store

UP TO CODE? The bulletproof plate has passed the National Institute of Justice's safety test. But Boston public schools have yet to decide whether the backpacks could be perceived as "threatening or offensive" under their dress code. If so, they will not be allowed on school grounds.


I have a couple of niece and nephew and another one on the way, and the news just struck a chord.
At one side, it is a good thing, instead of being an aggresive (like equipping your children with knife or firearm) you are equipping your children so they are not completely vulnerable either.
But it just makes me sad, that the world has reached a stage where its a hair width apart from returning to martial law...

On the other hand, I wonder if they will collaborate with, lets say,....crumpler? or kipling? to make the plate lined bag with style.... (the picture supplied at the magazine is strictly for boys)...

Happy commuter

This morning, as I catch the bus that will take me office, I have 2 seats for myself!! This is a red letter day!! Usually I will have to wake up early to be able to get a seat on the bus, but today, I was late but I got the 2 adjoining seats to myself...

I am a happy commuter, indeed........

The Simpsons

hahahahahahahaha......hahahahahahahahahahhaa....

(Like in the words of Jeremy Clarkson,"Wait, I'm not done yet")..

...................hahahahahahahahahaha..............

Watched the movie last night, and it was so funny..in a "Simpsons" way...off course...

The movie is different from the others as they creatively design the intro and ending of the film as part of the movie, which are loadsa fun!

SPOILERS AHEAD!!

The story tells about Lisa Simpson brow beating the people of springfield to take action in saving their lake, which is getting more and more polluted by the minute. But after everyone get their act together, one dump from Homer is all it takes to make the lake water as dangerous as a twoheaded rattlesnake. After being discovered by EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), the town is sealed with a giant glass dome, to prevent the pollution from spreading to other towns. This spark the anger of the town folks.
In a desparate flight to safety, they manage to escape to the outer side of the dome and heading to Alaska.

But, when the government disclosed the plan to destroy and wipe the entire town of Springfield, the Simpsons family went back to help safe their town.

Along the way, Lisa met an Irish boy who make her weak in the knees and sweaty palms, Bart experiencing some "normal" boy longings for a "normal" father (now I know how to make a perfectly smashing cup of cocoa; the Flanders way), Maggie turn out to be the tiny "hero" of the family, Homer got himself a "spiderpig" and Marge shows how much she loves Homer despite everything he ever did to the family and himself.

Good Fun!!!...I might just watch it again.............................hahaha

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

By now, you guys would have finished the last installment of Harry Potter so I think its safe to discuss it in details, unlike some people who spoiled the good fun

I have to say, although there are reviews abound in the net as well as print a few hours after the book being released regarding how the story ends, I managed to resist jumping straight to the last chapter to find out. In my opinion, the suspense, the thrill and the adventure of the entire story of Harry and his friends will be pointless if you know first hand that he will live or die. And I am so glad I persevered, because it makes the end sweeter and has more meaning.

Its too complicated to discuss in one blog (or even several blogs), but all I can say is, all the "loose ends" of harry potter's story since the first book came up seems to tie up nicely and somehow logically (like the bit about why Draco's wand in Harry's possession more powerful than Voldermort's Elder wand) . Others might be a bit dissapointed in a part or two of Harry Potter and how the story ends, but not this author. I was totally engrossed by the book and I was driven by curiosity and suspense as I go through page by page actions.

I like the complexity of the story, which means that JK Rowling does not underestimate the capability of children's (and young adults') imagination by simplifying the story; and no matter what others said, they are all linked together.

For adults who find the story somewhat not to their satisfaction, just keep in mind that this book falls under young adults category. Like I said to a colleague the other day "its like believing in Santa Claus....."

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Its out! its out!...the 5th year of Harry Potter and his loyal friends at Hogwarts on the silverscreen!..

This author and her friends managed to catch one of the sneak preview shows at the local cinema, and it was fab!
Predictably, all cinemas across the country were showing the movie and almost all halls were sold out since advance sales for the tickets starts a week before the movie official release date!
(you are free to guess when we bought the tickets!)

The movie started with the suspense of Harry and Dudley encountering the Dementors which forces Harry to deploy his own Patronus.
But, what he got for saving that overgrown cousin of his?? a letter from the ministry of magic expelling him!
Fortunately, sometime later Moody, Tonks, Shacklebolt, Doge and Jones arrive at 4 privet drive to escort Harry to grimmauld place, the Order of the Phoenix's headquarters and Black's family home.

And then........You have to watch the movies to find out what happens next...or read the book

SPOILERS AHEAD!!...

But for those who have watched the movies, I just want to share that it was a brilliant movie, especially love the left-and-right-curses-swinging battle between the member of the Order of the Phoenix and the DeathEaters....EXPELLIARMUS!! PETRIFICUS TOTALUS!!AVADA KEVADRA!! (similar to Star trek light-sabber fight but much much more exciting!!)
The sad part off course when the last curse hit Sirius Black and killing him.

Can't wait to get my hands on the final book!!

NB: A friend gave me my own wand to practice my spells!!! Thanks Mal !!

Action! Action! Action!

Watched a couple of movie during the week with one of my movie pal, and we saw Transformers and Die Hard

Transformers tells the story of aliens in the form of robots who's having war in their planet and their fight got extended to Earth. All Autobots (and decepticons) can transform to whatever piece of machinery and posess a high degree of intelligence.
On general, the movie is pretty good with superior effect and lots of action, but lack intellegence. I hate to say it, but if I am 8 yrs old and still playing "Cowboys and Indians" with my cousin, I will enjoy this movie tremendously! As it was, after the first half of the movie, I was bored.
After all the good guys and the bad guys make themselves "known", there is not much surprise anymore besides the action, which are sometimes too fast for our eyes to see. One second Megatron is scuffling with Optimus Prime, the next, Megatron lying on the road with his chest melted. If you are not fast enough to see that Sam (Witwicky) is not holding the cube anymore and reasoned that instead of Optimus Prime sacrificing his chest to swallow the cube, Sam pushed it in to Megatron's, you might not know how he died.

There are a few bone of contentment in that movie for me:
1. Why all the good guys only transformed as cars!?!? the bad guys got a tank, a fighter jet and a chopper! jeezzz....talk about lack of ammo.
2. At the end of the movie, all the carcasses of the bad guys got dumped in the middle of the ocean! Nice going guys; teach the kids to throw rubbish or any unwanted toys irresponsibly. Yeah, the narator said that they are being frozen in the deepest of the ocean bla bla bla, but hey, nothing shown! This is a visual movie right?!

To be fair tough, I did have a few giddy moments when one by one the robots transformed or when they are in action, they are pretty cool!

The next day, we watched Die Hard 4. Now this movie also have non stop action after the 1st hr. The story is about Detective John McClanne (Bruce Willis) who had an assignment to pick up a hacker for questioning at FBI. What supposed to be a rookie job, turns out bad, because the hacker is on somebody's elimination list.
Apparently there are bad guys hacking into the US government systems to do some "virtual terrorism" by controlling all the systems and networks in the country, and that lucky Matt (the hacker on elimination list) is a loose end.

I watched Die Hard from the 1st movie, what interest me is the lucky sonofaMcClanne with his dry humor, sarcasm and wit. But in this 4th picture, there is a double dose of dry humor plus guts in the form of John's grown up daughter. SPOILERS!! I really like Lucy's answer when she is being held hostage to speak to John "And now there are 5 of them"

A new baby girl.....

We are proudly announcing the arrival of Baby G, first daughter of Mr. and Mrs.E. 

Both mother and daughter reportedly healthy and well.

Welcome to the world little one!

hot hot fuuuzzzzz......

Outrageously funny!!! I laugh all through the movie and after!


"Hot Fuzz" tells the story of police officer (policeman is apparently a sexist remark) sergeant Nicholas "Angle" Angel, played by Simon Pegg, who got "transferred" to Sandford due to some jealous colleagues "You are so good, you make the rest of us look bad" said the Chief of Police. When sergeant Angel arrive at his new post, he paired up with Danny Butterman (Nick Frost).


All is well in sleepy Sandford where the latest crimes are runaway swan or clipping your neighbour hedges and the only high speed chase happened between the sergeant and a shoplifter.
However, things started to get interesting when people started dying by various "accidents" (which a police officer shouldn't mentioned since it implied no one is to blame).

What makes the whole movie is highly entertaining is the way they imitate the "action packed-adrenaline high" style of hollywood action movie and twisted it in British (satire) style.
The result is out of this world!
If I am a certified movie critics, I would give "Hot Fuzz" five popcorn out of five!! yohoo!!

jazz

I am in pain....

Last saturday I went to a dance studio near the office for a street jazz session, I've always pass by in front of the studio every to and from work. It so happens that I wanted to see ifI can still bend my back like I did during my teen and shake up my congaled blood for not exercising for 7 years. It was a bad idea.

Went there on time, paid the one-off fee, changed my street clothes and in to the freezing cold studio! It was raining outside the whole day and the tiny studio is equipped with industrial strengh blower!
Anyway, the instructor came (she couldn't be old enough to drive, I was thinking), but she can definitely dance.

After 15 minutes into the warm up session, I was starting to forget about the cold, as my muscles being stretched from one end to another. The movements are familiar, so I could concentrate on my pilates breathing.
The hour passed by uneventfully, worked out a good sweat and feeling re-freshed, if not a bit battered.

However, judgement hour didn't come until the next morning, when I realize upon waking, that my muscles protested loudly over the hard work they have to endure the previous day. They were ( are! ) taut and I have to moved about quite slowly like a little old lady. Even to prop up my legs on the coffee table needs studious care....(ugh)

I've learned a lesson with this "experiment",....I have to admit that I am too old, to do an exercise led by not-yet-20-girls who still have wax for their muscles; must find a class that cater to above 25's who hasn't run in more than 5 years unless to catch the bus.

Sad, 'in't it?!

North and South (2)

I've finished reading my 1st classic book. "North and South" by Elizabeth Gaskell!
Proud to say, this is the first classic that I read front to back and every page in between.

Previously, I tried to read "War and Peace" and "Persuasion"...but still couldn't finish either books.


Since the style of writing is pretty much different with current literature / fiction, I couldn't read as fast as I usually do in modern fiction, because the language is not something that I am familiar with (old english), there are quotes and lines from other classic works, so you've got to read slowly to understand the subtle sarcasm or the implied meaning or reference to the culture and trend.

All in all, I enjoyed it immensely! The story enfold slowly, with details that paint a complete picture of the background of the story, why certain things are the way they are, and it gave me a better understanding of each characters; the introduction and the glossary provides further explanatory notes which really great and helpful.

North and South

I'm in love....

Got the "North and South" BBC drama dvd yesterday, and after work, I head straight home to watch it.

The story line is similar to Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice", but while Mr.Darcy is the "aristocrat" type, Mr.Thornton is the "tall,dark,handsome,dangerous,moody" type; really somber, but his expression of concern and affection can be read through his gestures and facial expressions; definitely two thumbs up for Richard Armitage.
The heroine,Miss Hale (Daniela Denby Ashe), is the "wholesome and sensible" type, similar to Miss Elizabeth Bennet, also played a superb role in being the independent mature miss in the middle of the British industrial revolution.

Even though I have seen some videos uploaded by the die hard fans of N&S in youtube.com, but I really do not regret at all purchasing the movie.

I haven't read the book yet; but I suspect I will like it too.

Recommendations to anyone who enjoyed "Pride and Prejudice", you'll love "North and South" too.